Jagan Demands Judicial Probe Into Lathi-Charge on Secretariat Staff

YSRCP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday demanded a judicial probe into the lathi-charge on secretariat staff in Amaravati, condemning the police action as heavy-handed and undemocratic. The incident occurred when employees protesting over service-related demands were allegedly baton-charged by police, leading to injuries and widespread outrage among the staff.

Reddy called for the immediate withdrawal of suspensions imposed on employees and urged the government to address their grievances, including pay revision and job security. The YSRCP has accused the ruling TDP-led coalition of using force to suppress legitimate dissent, while the government has defended the police action as necessary to maintain order. Official figures on the number of injured employees have not been released, but union leaders claim several workers required hospital treatment.

The demand for a judicial inquiry has intensified political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, with opposition parties rallying behind the secretariat staff and calling for accountability. If the government refuses to concede, the standoff could escalate into broader protests, potentially disrupting administrative functions. The incident also raises questions about the treatment of government employees and the state's commitment to democratic dialogue, drawing attention from civil society and national media.